In 2018, Kaylee Muthart’s story shocked the world. At just 20 years old, the Anderson, South Carolina, student made headlines when she gouged out her own eyes during a methamphetamine-induced psychotic episode. Seven years later, Kaylee, now 27, has transformed her life, kicking her addiction and embracing her new reality with incredible strength. But a recent twist—losing her job for an act of kindness—shows her unyielding spirit. Here’s her remarkable story.
A Devastating Moment
Kaylee was once a straight-A student with dreams of becoming a marine biologist, even earning a spot in the National Honor Society. But her life took a dark turn when she dropped out of high school at 17 to work and save for a car. She started smoking marijuana, which she later discovered was laced with methamphetamine, sparking a descent into addiction. By 19, she was using ecstasy and injecting meth, chasing a high she believed brought her closer to God due to her undiagnosed bipolar disorder.
In February 2018, Kaylee Muthart ripped out her own eyes, and squished them with her hands during a meth induced psychotic episode. Muthart had been awake for almost 48 hours, snorting and injecting a concoction of tainted methamphetamine. pic.twitter.com/jJM8lPOqX2
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) February 11, 2024
On February 6, 2018, just days before entering rehab, Kaylee took a larger-than-usual dose of meth, possibly tainted, triggering a psychotic episode. Walking along railroad tracks toward a church, she became convinced the world would end unless she made a sacrifice. “I thought everyone would die if I didn’t tear out my eyes immediately,” she told South West News Service via The Daily Mail. In a harrowing act, she used her fingers to rip out both eyeballs, screaming, “I want to see the light!” A pastor and bystanders restrained her, and she was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where doctors removed the remains of her eyes to prevent infection, leaving her permanently blind.
Rebuilding with Resilience
The incident was a wake-up call. Kaylee entered rehab, got sober, and began adapting to blindness. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she started treatment with lithium and Risperdal, finding stability through therapy and her Christian faith. She learned Braille, mastered assistive technologies, and even relearned daily tasks like cooking and navigating public transport. “I can walk to the beach by myself, take buses, fly on planes—there’s really no limit,” she told The Express in 2025.
Kaylee’s determination led her to a job washing dishes at The Rose Villa restaurant in Florida, a step toward financial independence while pursuing her high school diploma through Penn Foster. She also received prosthetic eyes in 2020 to “appear more normal,” a moment that brought joy to her and her boyfriend, Alex George. “I felt like I was Kaylee again,” she told The Sun. Her faith and optimism shine through—she’s happier now than when she was on drugs, saying, “I’d rather be blind than dependent on drugs.”
Fired for Compassion
In December 2024, Kaylee faced a setback when she was fired from her restaurant job. The reason? She was sneaking food to feed a stray mother cat and her eight kittens outside the restaurant. Despite being asked to stop, Kaylee couldn’t ignore the animals’ needs, even ordering meals specifically for them. “I could not in good conscience leave every night knowing that kitty was waiting to be fed,” she told The Mirror. While losing the job was tough, especially as it helped cover bills, Kaylee has “no regrets.” “Being fired never feels good, but I did what I believed in my heart was right,” she said.
Kaylee Muthart was 20 when she ripped out her eyes, squishing them with her hands, after snorting and injecting tainted methamphetamine.
“The drugs take your fears and beliefs and amplify them… I thought I had to take my eyes out to survive and save the world.”#DontDoDrugs pic.twitter.com/FbYpx9a0ru
— The Girl Who Said Know (@GirlWhoSaidKnow) February 13, 2024
Her boyfriend’s support and her disability benefits ensure her essentials are covered, but Kaylee’s resolve remains unshaken. She’s working with a recruiter to find a new job by May 2025 and is launching a Christian-based nonprofit to support addiction recovery and mental health. She also dreams of becoming a motivational speaker and mastering multiple instruments, including guitar, piano, and drums.
A Message of Hope
Kaylee’s story is a powerful testament to resilience. Despite profound loss, she’s turned her pain into purpose, sharing her experience to warn others about the dangers of meth. “Drugs take your fears and amplify them,” she told People, urging young people to avoid them altogether. Her faith keeps her grounded, believing God helps her “see” through visual hallucinations and hope for the future. She longs to see her daughter, born when she was 18 and now living with a family friend, or even know the color of her cat. Yet, she remains positive: “When I stub my toe, I think, ‘Well, it probably saved me from hitting a wall.’”
Kaylee’s journey—from a straight-A student to surviving addiction, blindness, and now a job loss—shows that even in darkness, there’s light. What do you think of her incredible comeback? Share your thoughts in the comments and spread her inspiring story!
